Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
I started wearing a helmet not too long ago. Not because I really think I'll need it, but because I was practically the only person in all of northern VA without one, or so it seemed. Since I already wear lycra shorts and a tight jersey I figured what the hell, it can't make me look any dumber.
That's argument #1 against. Honestly. Driving a Ford Pinto from A to B will make you look stupid and probably not get you far with the women but it does it's job.
Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
More than that though, I always thought it would be uncomfortable and hot. Turns out it's not all that bad and my Giro Ionos has amazing ventilation.
But I've been wondering lately, how effective is a helmet really? My helmet fits me perfectly, and I have it adjusted perfectly as well. However, when I take my hand and give the helmet a little bump anywhere along the bottom edge, it seems like the helmet can shift pretty easily and my hand can make contact with my skull. It just seems like in the event of a real crash the helmet will easily shift out of place and there would be a good chance that my head can still hit the ground.
Maybe you're not wearing it right.
Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
I read in that other thread about that guy dieing from head injuries from riding the MUP. He wore his helmet. And then there's the death in this year's Giro. Helmet didn't do much to save his life either.
Given the physics involved, eventually it will stop being effective.
Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
This isn't exactly bike releated, but I personally know two people (one friend and one cousin) that have been ejected out of their car and lived. Had they been wearing their seatbelts, both would have died without a doubt.(A) Every time I read about how someone's helmet saved their lives I can't help but think if their head ever would have touched the ground had they never worn their helmet in the first place. There's a good chance that the only reason the helmets hit the ground in the first place is because they are bulky. (B)
A) I think we need data supporting your claim please. I've scraped people off the road that would have lived had they been wearing a seatbelt.
B) I guess it's safe to say that the reason my body hit the ground during my wreck and I didn't land on my feet is that I'm bulky?
Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
I grew up riding dirt bikes, quads, snow mobiles, snowboarding, bmxing, etc. I've done some crazy things growing up on 10 acres, and I've taken some serious falls. Broken a few bones, but never once was I wearing a helmet. My head has never hit the ground. I believe that you can be good at falling and that with good survival instincts, you can naturally prevent your head from making contact with the ground.
Congratulations on surviving this long. What do you do when you crash and you're heading towards a wall? Hmmmmm...
Originally Posted by
ilovecycling
I realize that in some cases it's not up to you and you can't control how you fall or what hits your head. Still though, I can't help but think that bicycle helmets are kind of a joke when compared to motorcycle helmets or other helmets that offer full head protection.
What do you think?
Someone's already commented.
Originally Posted by
Homebrew01
Maybe mosts bicyclists that crash don't need to go to the hospital because they were wearing helmets, so you don't encounter them. Motorcyclists are going so much faster that I expect they end up in hospital much more frequently after a crash.
As for fashion, there was a lot of resistance to helmets. It's taken decades to become the norm, after finally being mandated for racing at all levels.
Thank you for making that point.
As for me and my crash story, had I not been wearing one I'd be missing parts of my scalp. But to each their own. Someone once asked me what was the real point in wearing a full face vs skull cap helmet on a motorcycle(I don't ride btw), and I replied, "Open vs closed casket." I am a firm believer that wearing a helmet never killed anyone though.